Terminal connector



Aug. 3, 1943. J. M. YADON TERMINAL CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 13, 1942 Fz' A v Fly;

INVENTOR ATTOR EY 0 4 M N m Fig 6.

WITNESSES:

Patented Aug. 3, 1943 WestinghouseElectric &' Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of r Pennsylvania pplication February 13, 1942, Serial No. 420,723 l2 Claims. (c1. ire-n59) My invention relates, generally, to connectors and, more particularly, toconnectors of the type suitable for conecting flexible conductors to the terminals of electrical devices.

Most of the terminal connectors with which I am familiar require that a loop be pre-formed in the wire before it is inserted on the connector. Frequently, with such a device the pre-formed loop is made the wrong way and as the screw is tightened the loop tends to unwind, thereby resulting in a partially or an insecurely held wire, particularly when a stranded conductor'is utilized.

An object of my invention, generally stated, is to provide a terminal connector whichshall be simple and efiicient in operation and which may be economically manufactured and installed.

A more specific object of my invention. is to provide aself-looping terminal connector.

Another object of my invention is to provide a a terminal connector for a wire in which the wire isboth looped and tightened by the same means and at substantially the same time.

A further object of my invention is to provide a screw terminal for a wire wherein the wire may be looped about the screw and tightened against the terminal of an electrical device by substantially the same operation.

Other objects of my invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with my invention a screw terminal is provided with a concentric washer having flanges thereon so disposed that the wire is engaged by the flanges and formed into a loop about the shank of the screw while the screw and the washer are being rotated by means of a screw-driver or a similar tool.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of my invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in elevation, of a terminal washer constructed in accordance with my invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a View, in plan, of the washer shown in Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a view, in plan, of the washer with a screw and wire in position for the formation of a loop in the wire; 7

Fig. 4 is a view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of the terminal connector with a screwdriver inserted in boththe washer and the screw, the loop having been formed by rotating the Washer with the screw; I r

Fig. 5 is a View, similar to Fig. 4, with the screw tightened against the looped wire by rotating only'the screw; and 2 Fig. Stis a view, similar toFig. 3, with the loop completed.

Referring to the drawing and, particularly, to Figs. .,and 5, the terminal connector shown therein comprises a screw it, which maybe threaded into the terminal H of an electrical or other device to whichit is desired to connect a wire or conductor l2, and a washer 53 concentr-ically disposed on the screw Ill. The screw i9 is provided with a head M of suflicient diameter to cover the wire 12 when it, is looped about the shank of the screw. The washer l3'is of a greater diameter than the head of the screw it! and is provided with a pair of up-turned flanges l5 and l 6 which are disposed just outside the screw head and are of suflicient height to prevent the wire from being forced out from under the head, particularly when a stranded conductor is utilized.

As shown in Fig. 3 the flanges l 5 and iii are so designed and spaced as to provide a slot H for receiving the end of theconductor 12 which is to be looped around the shank of the screw l0 when the conductor is inserted underneath the head IA of the screw. The flange I5 is preferably of a greater height than the flange i6 and is provided with a slot l8 which may be aligned with the usual slot IS in the head Id of the screw Hi. The edge 2| of the flange I5 is preferably rounded as shown, while the edge 22 of the flange I6 is not rounded for a purpose which will be explained hereinafter.

In making the connection, the wire (2 is inserted through theslot l1 and under the head it of the screw l0 which is. threaded into the terminal ll asuficient distance to bring the bottom of the slot 19 in the head of the screw on a level with the bottom of the slot 18 in the flange l5. The blade 23 of a screwdriver or similar tool is then so placed in the aligned slots l8 and [9 as to engage both the screw and the flange [5, as shown in Fig. 4. In, this manner both the screw it and the washer l3 may be turned simultaneously by the screwdriver and in so doing the shoulder '2! of the flange 15 engages the conductor l 2 and carries the wire around the shank of the screw until the proper loop is formed. The edge 22 of the flange IE will also engage the wire i2 while the loop is being formed by the pressure ofthe shoulder 2| against the wire and device.

functions as a clamp to hold the wire and cause it to be drawn around the shank of the screw.

.When the loop is completed, the screwdriver 23-is slipped back from the flange until it engages only the screw. Further turning of the screwdriver tightens the head of the screw against the wire l2, as shown in Fig. 5, without forming more loop in thetwire. As shown in Fig. 6, one edge 24 When the washer i3 is rotated in a countercioc-kr wise direction, the edge 22 of the flange l6 engages the conductor 2 to unwind the loop, thereby permitting the conductor to be withdrawn from the terminal without it being necessary to remove the screw li; completely from the terminai.

. While I consider the provision of the flang desirable for the foregoing reasonait. is nQt'absoa lutely essential. for satisfactoryoperation of, the terminal connector. It wili be seen that. a loop may be formed in the wire in the manner hereinbefore describedby utilizing a washer having only the flange #5 which will engage. one side of thjeconductor when the washer is rotated clockwise, thereby bending the wire around the shank of the screw in the manner described. In case the flange i6 is omitted, the loop cannot be unwound in the manner herein described.

.' From the foregoing description, it is apparent that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and effective means 'torlooping and tightening a wire 1 conductor to the terminal of an electrical or other Theonly tool required for making the connection is a screwdriver of the usual type.

. Furthermore, the formation of a proper loop for washer being of a greater diameter than the head of the screw and having a pair of spaced flanges thereon, one of said flanges having a slot therein disposed for alignment with the slot in the screw head, whereby the washer may be rotated simultaneczusiy Withtlie. screw by the same tool, thereby causing said flanges to bend the conductor around the shank of the screw.

. terminal; connector for securing a con- 41....etor; comprisinsa a s rewhaving a slotted and a washer concentric with the screw, said washer being of a greater diameter than the head attir -screw and having; apair oi up urned flan dispo ed outside; the screw. head, said flang s bein -winced apart to receive the conductor therebetiveen. cm; of said ranges having amended edse an the ethane relatively sharp edge ior en'- e'ae'insne cendnetor, and. one of said flanges having a. slat therein disposed, for alignment with the; slotin serewihead whereby the washer may be rotated in either direction simultaneous- 1y with the screw by the. seine tool thereby causirisv said flanges to bend the conductor around the shank of the. screw when rotated in. one direction and. unbend the conductor when; rotated in the oppositedirection.

' JOHN M. YADON- 

